An Honorable Profession
The NewDEAL
Restore your faith in government with An Honorable Profession. Every Thursday, co-hosts Ryan Coonerty and Debbie Cox Bultan sit down with rising state and local Democrats, policy experts, and the nation’s top political minds for empowering and candid conversations about life in public service and government. Together with their guests – which include members of the Biden Administration, state legislators nationwide, and mayors from America’s top cities – Ryan and Debbie discuss the biggest issues facing Americans today and the decisive role that state and local leaders play in catalyzing progressive, pragmatic solutions.
An Honorable Profession is produced by the NewDEAL. For more AHP and NewDEAL content, visit https://newdealleaders.org/ and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NewDEALLeaders
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewDEALLeaders
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NewdealleadersOrg
An Honorable Profession is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
An Honorable Profession is produced by the NewDEAL. For more AHP and NewDEAL content, visit https://newdealleaders.org/ and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NewDEALLeaders
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newdealleaders/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-newdeal/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewDEALLeaders
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NewdealleadersOrg
An Honorable Profession is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 9, 2023 • 31min
Lauren Harper and Liam Kerr on Defending Democracy
In this week’s special episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks to Lauren Harper and Liam Kerr, co-founders of the non-profit Welcome Party, about how to broaden the Democratic Party's tent by engaging with Independents and Republicans to protect democracy. Their latest effort, the WelcomePAC, supports candidates in "democracy districts" -- areas where Democrats can be competitive if they identify compelling candidates and communicate effectively with these voters. Lauren and Liam talk about what they have heard from these voters, what it means for the Democratic Party, and why showing empathy towards voters is crucial. Tune in for more on the Welcome Party’s mission, key takeaways from the 2022 midterms, including the important role that ticket splitters will continue to play and the winnable seats Democrats left on the table, and a discussion about whether moderates really exist. Spoiler alert; they do.
Feb 2, 2023 • 28min
Rep. Blake Johnson on Having Power in the Minority and Empowering his Constituents
In this week's episode, host Ryan Coonerty talks with Indianapolis, Indiana Representative Blake Johnson. They discuss how to govern successfully in a legislative super minority, and how he has built productive relationships with colleagues with different ideologies by identifying their shared values. They discuss his work to prioritize communication between candidates and citizens by starting a podcast, Sessions, Sessions, which aims to explain in layman's terms the mechanics of how the legislature works and to empower people to participate in a dialogue with their elected officials. Tune in to get an insider's perspective on the changing political environment, and why the front of a brownie box is better than the back.
Jan 26, 2023 • 35min
What to Watch in the States with Legislative Leaders
In this week’s special episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan welcomes legislative leaders from blue, red, and purple states for a conversation on their priorities for 2023, how legislative strategy differs when in the minority, and how to find compromise. She is joined by Connecticut Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, Pennsylvania House Majority Whip Jordan Harris, Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls, and Florida House Democratic Whip Christine Hunschofsky, who outline their goals for addressing our nation’s most significant policy challenges, including affordable housing, voting rights, economic growth, broadband access, and more. And they offer optimism on the continued national impact of new federal funds approved under the Biden Administration, no matter the politics of a given state. Tune in for this insightful conversation and to hear different perspectives on what we can expect from state legislatures in the coming months.
Jan 19, 2023 • 30min
Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey’s Public Policy Agenda
In this week’s episode, host Ryan Coonerty talks with Fairfield, CT Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey, a long-time NewDEALer and brave public policy advocate. They discuss her work from last year's legislative session to increase housing and improve equity measures in her state, her new challenges as the co-chair of the Public Health Committee, and how her experience as a social worker informs her decisions. They also remember her colleague Quentin “Q” Williams, a fellow NewDEAL Leader who tragically passed away at the beginning of the year. Tune in for this insightful and inspirational conversation with a truly engaged public servant.
Jan 12, 2023 • 27min
Supervisor James Gore on Disaster Preparedness & Resiliency Amid California's Historic Rainfall
In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Sonoma County, CA, Supervisor James Gore. They spoke in the midst of California’s historic wave of dangerous storms, reacting to the devastation across the state and addressing keys to disaster preparedness and climate resiliency -- issues that have been central to Gore's work. Gore, who serves in leadership at the National Association of Counties, also addresses the affordable housing shortage in California and what makes county government unique in the American political system. Tune in for all of this and more, including why Supervisor James Gore believes you can’t have local control without local solutions and what led him to public service.
Jan 5, 2023 • 33min
Delegate Jazz Lewis' Path to the Maryland Legislature
Recorded at NewDEAL’s 12th Annual Leaders Conference, this week’s episode features a conversation between host Ryan Coonerty and NewDEAL Leader Maryland Delegate Jazz Lewis. They discuss how the impacts of the Great Recession led him to become a community activist and inspired him to work on issues like economic opportunity and criminal justice reform. Lewis talks about his role advising Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, one of the most influential Democrats in Congress, and the decision to run for office himself. Tune in to our first episode of 2023 for an important conversation for anyone concerned about getting good people to enter politics and for Lewis' advice to young activists who dream of inspiring change.
Dec 21, 2022 • 40min
Senator Jeff Bridges on Bringing People Together Around Shared Values
Recorded at NewDEAL's 12th Annual Leaders Conference in Washington, this week's episode features a conversation between host Ryan Coonerty and NewDEAL Leader Colorado Senator Jeff Bridges. They discuss how he is the only state senator with a Master of Divinity, which has given him a unique perspective on campaigns, the role of elected officials, and the future of democracy. Senator Bridges discusses, the importance of engaging meaningfully with the people whose votes you seek to earn, and why bipartisanship is still critical if we want to fight extremism. Tune in to our last episode of 2022 for an engaging conversation that touches on Senator Bridges priorities for the upcoming legislative session and his insights on "winning with the truth," as he so eloquently puts it. See you next year, and happy holidays.
Dec 15, 2022 • 23min
Representative Brandon Lofton on the Past and Future of the Tarheel State
Recorded at NewDEAL's 12th Annual Leaders Conference in Washington, this week's episode features a conversation between host Ryan Coonerty and NewDEAL Leader North Carolina Representative Brandon Lofton. They discuss how he was able to flip a red district and how he has been the target of gerrymandering ever since as he works to improve his state's education system while creating jobs. Representative Lofton also discusses his state's rich history, telling us that the first version of Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream" speech was delivered in North Carolina. Representative Lofton discusses how vital it is to focus on government accountability, the value of vigilance in safeguarding the ballot, and how he is working to protect and secure voter rights. Tune in for an inspiring conversation and how Brandon balances his public service, legal practice, and family.
Dec 8, 2022 • 29min
Adrian Fontes Fights For Democracy
Recorded at NewDEAL's 12th Annual Leaders Conference last week in Washington, this week's special episode features Arizona Secretary of State-elect Adrian Fontes -- dubbed by TIME Magazine as one of the "defenders of democracy" during his successful midterm campaign against an ardent election denier. Speaking with host and NewDEAL Leader Ryan Coonerty, Adrian talks about why he decided to run for Secretary of State during a year when many were hesitant about Democrats’ chances of winning, how his election gained national attention, and lessons from his previous job as County Recorder in Maricopa County, where he helped make voting more accessible and transparent. Tune in for an important conversation on the state of our democracy, as well as to hear how campaigning for secretary of state meant doing comedy for Billy Crystal.
Dec 1, 2022 • 28min
Representative Ranjeev Puri Legislates Michigan
In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL Leader Ryan Coonerty talks with Canton, MI, Representative Ranjeev Puri about his leadership role as a majority whip tasked with holding together his caucus in a legislature that will be under full Democratic control for the first time in 40 years after this year's historic election. The first Sikh-American elected to the state legislature, Puri discusses how former president Barack Obama inspired him to run for office, and digs into his top policy priorities like the future of transportation and mobility. Tune in to hear more about his work and his inspiring path to public service.
